Already a Member?

Enter in your email below to login to view all content

Brief Summary

With a draft of just 6" and a weight of only 1,400 lbs. (less power), the Tiburon 25 ZX floats remarkably shallow for a 25-footer, making her an effective flats boat. She also has the length and width to function as a capable bay boat in calm conditions. The elevated console gives the skipper a better view of the shallows ahead, and standard Lenco tabs help her to get on top quickly and keep her there at low rpms.

Key Features

VLS High Performance Hull

Dual 33 Gallon Fuel Tanks

Lenco Trim Tabs w/LED Switch

ArmorCoat White Gelcoat

Bobs 10" Jack Plate with gauge

Smooth Glide Pull Up Cleats

Gas-assist Hatch Lifts

28 Gallon Recirculating Release Well

Specifications

Length Overall

24' 8" 7.52 m

Beam

8′ 6" 2.59 m

Dry Weight

1,400 lbs. 635 kg

Tested Weight

2,717 lbs. 1232 kg

Draft

6" 0.15 m

- Draft Up

N/A

- Draft Down

N/A

- Air Draft

N/A

Deadrise/Transom

24 deg.

Max Headroom

Open

Bridge Clearance

N/A

Weight Capacity

N/A

Person Capacity

N/A

Fuel Capacity

70 gal. 265 L

Water Capacity

N/A

Length on Trailer

N/A

Height on Trailer

N/A

Trailer Weight

N/A

Total Weight(Trailer, Boat, & Engine)

N/A

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

All fuel consumption numbers are the total for all engines in the boat. Speeds are measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun or GPS. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter or by on-board factory-installed diagnostic instruments. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation. Time to plane is measured from start of acceleration to formation of rooster tail behind boat.

Performance Chart

Acceleration Times & Test Conditions

Time To Plane

5.7 sec.

0 to 30

8.3 sec.

Ratio

1.85:1

Props

N/A

Load

2 persons, 7/8 load, no water, 50 lbs. of gear

Climate

78 deg.; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: medium chop

Captain's Report

The Tiburon ZX-25 is a hybrid design that blends the shallow water agility of a flats boat with the stability of a skiff.

Mission Impossible -- For Most Boats

Many boats built today are designed to be multi-functional. On the other end of the spectrum is the Tiburon ZX-25, which is laser-targeted for fishing in ultra-skinny water. The main feature of this boat is that she allows a shallow water angler to access areas of the flats that other boats simply can’t. The hull design that affords this craft an extremely shallow draft is patent pending. It was computer-designed to be extremely efficient and reduce drag while providing lift.

Running the boat in shallow water from the elevated position of the console riser gives the captain a better opportunity to spot shoals, channels, or underwater obstructions.At rest, it’s easy to see how high the outboard is positioned on the transom. The hull design feeds water flow up into the pocket where the lower unit is.

Major Features

• Patent Pending Hull Design

• Shallow Draft

• Console Riser

• Stand on Top Console

• Bolster Bucket Seats

• Trolling Motor Pre-Wire

• 100% Composite Construction

• 28-gallon Recirculating Release Well

Hull Design

Tiburon Boats utilized aerospace CAD and CAM software to design their hull, deck, and console. They were able to send that digital information to a CNC machine to make precision-cut plugs and molds.

The hull’s running surface was designed to direct water flow up to the propeller without inducing additional drag.The hull design was computer-optimized before it was machined, enabling Tiburon to anticipate the hull’s draft prior to building the prototype boat.CNC machines were used to cut a precision plug to 1/1000 inch, resulting in tight tolerances.Tiburon uses space-age composites and polymers to build their boats for both strength and durability. The result is a very lightweight hull. The four vertical stringers give rigidity to the hull and support the deck.

Shallow Water Performance

It’s not enough for a boat to just float shallow for exceptional shallow water performance. It also needs to have the ability to jump up on plane in the same water it drafts. If not, an angler may be faced with having to travel a great distance with the electric trolling motor in search of a channel or hole deep enough to take off and clear the flat.

The low sheer line of the boat reduces effects from wind for better control while fishing and keeps the boat lighter, which allows her to float higher.The propeller and skeg can be trimmed completely above the planing surface. The hull design allows the engine to be trimmed even higher than shown in the picture.The hull extends past the transom. These two areas not only house built-in trim tabs, but the additional displacement in the stern helps the boat to float shallower and plane off quicker.

The Center Console

The same CAD/CAM process used for the hull also created the console, which is a “stand-on-top” design. This allows the angler to climb up and actually stand on the top of the center console, gaining a better vantage point for seeing fish in shallow water. If used in conjunction with a remote-controlled bow-mounted trolling motor, one could actually fish from that elevated position.

The overall shape of the console is simple and functional. To climb on top, the area with the two cup holders becomes a step.The forward face of the center console has a large acrylic door to gain access for storage and rigging for controls and eletronics. The T-top diagonal supports are in the captain’s view when looking forward, which can be annoying. We’d prefer to see some other arrangement.With the door open, gear is easily stowed, and systems including wiring, switches, and breakers can be maintained.The forward seat of the center console is a high-tech cooler with a padded seat cushion. This feature allows for more deck space, if needed, by relocating the cooler.The flat dash has room for flush-mounted electronics and has dual switch panels with rocker actuators embossed with icons. We’d like to see high fiddles on the top of the console so that it can be used to hold cell phones, a handheld VHF radio, and other stuff.The helm is mounted to port on a dedicated extrusion. The mounting angle, along with the wheel’s tilt helm, can be positioned at any desired height.

Steering Platform Riser

Much like how a sportfish with a flybridge gives the captain a better view down into the water column, the use of a riser to mount the center console on has the same effect for this flats boat. Navigating in shallow water, the higher the captain is at the helm, the more easily he will be able to stay in the channel or spot fish up on the flats.

Another advantage of a riser is additional storage below for gear such as a PFD bag, tackle, or soft coolers.This riser has an aluminum base that saves weight over a fiberglass box that some other builders use.Aft of the riser, under the helm seating, is enough room for a cooler that wouldn’t take up any additional deck space.

Casting Decks

For any boat to be used as a serious fishing boat, it must have fore and aft casting decks. Fishing from the elevated deck gives an angler a better view and an unobstructed area to cast from.

The bow casting deck has wide wrap-around gunnels that serve as a good landing area for a bow-mounted trolling motor. The raised lip becomes a toe rail, which warns anglers fighting a fish when they are near the boat’s edge. The twin gas fills in the cut out to port lead to dual 33-gallon fuel cells.Below the three molded fiberglass hatches are an anchor locker and two dry storage areas. The hatches have compression latches, cast recessed hinges, and are held open by gas-assist struts. The three athwarship bulkheads provide strength and rigidity to the bow running surface.The stern casting deck has an odd multi-level shape with a center-mounted seat cushion. Fiberglass hatches lead to plumbed wells and systems access. The curved forward bulkhead has two recessed cockpit drains. Note that the outboard well is unencumbered by external hydraulic steering because the owner of this boat has selected an Evinrude E-TEC G2 engine, which has internal steering.Below the stern hatches is a 28-gallon recirculating release well, an 18-gallon livewell, storage, and access to pumps and systems.This port stern hatch is typical, with a rubber gasket seal, stainless steel latch, and deep channel to drain deck water away from entering the compartment.

Seating

One of the biggest oversights on many boats is the seating. If the desired fishing spot requires a long run, a comfortable seat will make a huge difference with not being fatigued at the end of the day. From a safety standpoint, a seat that can help hold the occupants in place is a good choice, and the two seats at the helm do just that.

These over-stuffed racing-style bolster seats give a secure feel, especially at high running speeds.The aluminum seat base has four rocket-launcher-style rod holders, as well as stainless steel cup holders. There’s plenty of room below for a cooler or removable livewell.

Gunnels

The ZX-25 is stable enough to walk the wide gunnels from bow to stern without having to step down into the cockpit. This is especially useful when fighting a large fish that runs around the boat.

As the gunnels go forward, they rise above the bow casting deck to form a toe rail. This makes it easier to know where the edge of the deck is without having to look down.Under the port and starboard gunnels are horizontal storage compartments.The 8-foot 6-inch beam allows for a wide walkway down both sides of the console riser.

Power

The Tiburon ZX-25 is a specialty boat dialed-in to one specific purpose: taking two anglers hunting in very skinny water on flats, in swamps, and in other protected-water locations.

The max horsepower rating for this vessel is 300, which was how our test boat was powered. The 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 has a 25-inch shaft and a gear ratio of 1.85:1. It was propped with a 15 1/8” diameter by 20” pitch R4, 4-blade stainless steel propeller.

Performance Numbers

Top Speed. Our test boat had an estimated test weight of 2,717 lbs. (1,232 kg). We hit a top speed of 48.6 mph (42.2 knots) at 5500 rpm.

Ride and Handling

If there’s 8 inches of water under the keel, this boat can jump up on plane. Once there, the hull design can channel water flow up to the prop to keep the boat underway in less than 3 inches of water -- according to the builder (we didn’t try it!) -- just don’t come off the throttle. In a heavy chop, don’t expect the smoothest ride, but that’s not what this boat was designed to do. Its mission is to take anglers into the shallowest of places, where few boats dare to go.

Price

$99,000.00

Available Options

• Raised Platform

• 45-gallon Release Well

• Pro Air System

• 3 to 4 Bank Battery Charger

• Bow Casting Platform

• Poling Platform

• T-top

• Powder Coat

• Wash Down System

Observations

We ran this boat across the flats on Biscayne Bay to see what its shallow water capabilities really were. At rest in 8 inches, we were still floating, with the wind able to drift us along without grounding. Running across that same 8-inch flat on plane, we did not leave any wheel ditches, the prop was not starved for water, and there was no cavitation.

Understanding the limitations of a flats boat, it’s not a boat we would take offshore and troll for dolphins. But if stalking a fish in ultra-skinny water is the mission, this boat could open up access to the backcountry, where fish get very little pressure simply because other boats can’t go there.

Test Result Highlights

Best cruise for the Tiburon ZX-25 (2017-) is 29.3 mph (47.2 kph), and the boat gets 3.2 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.36 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 204 miles (328.31 kilometers).